HIMSS acquires British events company, opens U.K. branch

The Chicago-based Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society has taken another international expansion step by completing the acquisition of a British events management company, Citadel Events, specializing in healthcare information technology.

HIMSS in 2012 acquired a minority interest in Citadel, based in Harrogate, in northern England. It since has worked with the firm and other U.K. organizations on a pair of healthcare IT conferences, including HC2014, which runs March 19-20, in Manchester, England.

In conjunction with the Citadel deal, the not-for-profit organization also announced the launch of HIMSS U.K.

“Throughout England and the rest of the U.K., significant efforts are underway to adopt information technologies designed to achieve better patient outcomes, access to care and cost efficiency,” said HIMSS President and CEO Stephen Lieber in a news release. “Through our educational programs, events, market insights and other initiatives, HIMSS will be a valuable partner to government, trusts, clinicians and other key stakeholders in achieving a better care system.”

HIMSS already has offices in Europe and in Asia and operations in the Middle East and Latin America.

Follow Joseph Conn on Twitter: @MHJConn